Book of the Week: Millie Fierce Sleeps Out

Little girls can be strong and fierce and brave—and sometimes their ferocity is just the thing they need to save the day.

Jane Manning wrote one of my favorite children’s books I’ve reviewed over the past two years called , Millie Fierce, and she doesn’t disappoint with her latest adventure with this rather fun-loving and feisty character. Millie Fierce Sleeps Outis a sweet tale of a fierce little girl who knows that being too fierce can ruin parties or even make friends cry. So she decided to keep herself fierce-free all summer long and was rewarded by her mother with promise of a sleep out. Yes, a sleep over in her very own backyard! She imaged it as adventurous as the Amazon jungle or even Mars! There was so much to see and explore!

Her best friend, Maya, was coming as was her cousin Lizzie. She worked hard at planning this fun sleepover in details. But one thing she couldn’t plan on was the spooky spider Maya thought she saw in the gummy worms or the pitter patter of raindrops on the tent. This story is at times silly and you watch as Millie tries to keep her fierceness in check when things don’t quite as planned – because you see Millie likes things to go as planned.

But when they hear a snarl outside the tent and both Maya and Lizzie screamed at once and Millie’s dog Buddy just shivered and it looked like her sleep-over party was going to be ruined… Millie turned FIERCE. The illustration on this page is hysterical – we see a puff of hot air blast from her nose and her hair frizz out into “a magnificent tangle.” I like how Millie isn’t afraid of what might be outside but instead grabs her flashlight and butterfly net ready to take-on whatever might be out there! When you find out who is making the noise and causing a ruckus – you will probably laugh along with your child!

The illustrations by Jane Manning are colorful and bright. You really get a sense of Millie’s personality – not only with the story but the illustrations really showcase her wonderful personality. I love her yellow-flowered rainboots she wears to her sleepover. Because of course you should wear yellow rainboots to a outside sleep over!

For kids who love Fancy Nancy, Eloise, Olivia, and Ladybug Girl, they will fall in love with Millie Fierce as well!

Praise for the Millie Fierce books:

*”Readers already know what Millie learns: To everything there is a time and purpose, including fierceness; they will welcome this validation.”–Kirkus Reviews, starred review

“Millie Fierce is a delightfully naughty mix between Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are and Molly Bang’s When Sophie Gets Angry.”–School Library Journal

“An unexpected Yeatsian lilt to Manning’s writing (“Millie frizzed out her hair and made the crazy eye”) lifts the text out of the ordinary; her powers of observation set it apart, too.”–Publishers Weekly

Good news! We have a hardcover edition to hand out to a lucky mate! Retails at $16.99 and can be found at your local bookstore or online at Amazon.com.

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